Conference

Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Annual Conference

The 2020 Virtual Annual Conference will gather us together in a familiar way, with Opening Worship.  We will be separate but together on Sunday, July 26 for this special worship service which include a time of memorial.  Bishop David Bard will preach. 

Essential business of the Annual Conference will be conducted via Zoom webinar, and streamed on Facebook for non-voting members.

We'll begin our time together on Sunday, July 26, 7:00 PM EDT with Opening Worship, and a time of memorial.  Bishop David A. Bard will be preaching.  Although separate, our hearts and spirits will be joined together in this common time of worship and remembrance.  A time of offering will be included to benefit our covenant partners in Haiti and Liberia who rely heavily on our support, as well as Michigan Disaster Relief and Recovery.  Checks can be including in the voting member's ballot envelop, mailed separately to the conference office, or given via PayPal through the link provided.  Offerings received via PayPal cannot be credited toward church giving at this time.

Essential business of the Annual Conference

Essential business of the Annual Conference will be conducted on Monday, July 27 from 9:30 AM EDT to 4:30 PM EDT.  Voting members of the Annual Conference will register for the Virtual Annual Conference, receive a legislative guide by mail, and participate in the plenary session via Zoom webinar.  Marking and mailing of ballots should be done following plenary, and postmarked between July 28 - August 1, 2020 to be valid.

Clergy Session

Clergy Session will occur on Tuesday, July 28 from 9:30 AM EDT to 12:30 PM EDT via Zoom.  The Business of the Annual Conference Report, and a secure Zoom link will be emailed to registered Clergy in advance of the session.

Update! In consultation with the candidates for ordination and commissioning, and the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Bishop has postponed the Service of Recognition, Commissioning and Ordination until Annual Conference 2021. Concerns for the health and safety of the traditionally large gathering were paramount in making this decision. Those affirmed at clergy session will be received into full member in 2020 and commissioned or ordained the following year.

Costs are reduced for Virtual Annual Conference

Registration for voting members is $45.  There is no cost for non-voting members who can watch the Annual Conference via Facebook.

Schedule Highlights:

Sunday, July 26, 2020:

  • 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Opening Worship/Memorial Service

Monday, July 27, 2020:

  • 9:30 am - 10:00 am Devotions
  • 10 am - noon Plenary
  • 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
  • 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Plenary
  • 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Closing Worship

Tuesday, July 28, 2020:

  • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Clergy Session
Opening Worship

Important Details

Registration is closed, and there's no late registration due to the printer deadline and mailing of paper ballots.

The bar set for Monday's Plenary session includes only voting members accessing Zoom via webinar or conference call.  You'll be able to watch the event fully on Facebook, or on this page.

When will my Legislative Guide arrive in the mail? 

Legislative Guides were mailed first-class on Monday, July 13.  You should receive your packet within the week.

Registration is a 2-step process! 

Step 1: Register for Annual Conference.

Step 2: Register for ZOOM webinars.  Your Legislative Guide contains instructions for registering for worship/plenary and Clergy session.  Follow instructions on page 4 of the Legislative Guide.  Please register once you receive your guide - don't wait until the day of the event!  Your voting status must be verified before you're approved and sent connection details.

NOTE: Clergy and Lay Members appointed to the BOM will need to register separately for Clergy Session.  A secure link to The Business of the Annual Conference report will be emailed to you on Friday, July 24, pending your registration.  You can download and follow along on your computer, or print a copy to follow.  All voting will be done through the ZOOM Webinar.

Two ZOOM Webinar orientation sessions are scheduled. Connection details are on page 4 of the Legislative Guide. Please attend one of the following:

  • Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 PM EDT
  • Sunday, July 26, 4:00 PM EDT

DO YOU HAVE REGISTRATION QUESTIONS?  Please email your annual conference registrar Sarah Vollmer

Annual Conference 2020